The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has approved a weekly allowance of ₦100,000 for people placed under isolation or quarantine following the detection of an imported Ebola case in Abuja.
The Director-General of the agency, Dr Jide Idris, announced the intervention at a press briefing on Sunday, explaining that it was designed to help affected individuals meet their basic needs and support their families while complying with public health measures.
According to Idris, some contacts had expressed concerns about the financial implications of isolation, particularly the costs of feeding, accommodation and maintaining their households.
He said the agency had consequently introduced the emergency payment to encourage cooperation with health officials and reduce the hardship associated with the monitoring process.
Idris noted that the stipend was not included in the NCDC’s initial response plan but had become necessary under the circumstances. He added that the arrangement would be reviewed as the situation developed.
The NCDC chief also called on state governments to strengthen their preparedness for public health emergencies, warning that the responsibility for funding outbreak responses should not be left to the Federal Capital Territory alone.
He said states must be ready to provide the personnel, equipment and funding required for contact tracing, isolation and other containment activities within their jurisdictions.
Nigeria confirmed an imported case of Ebola on October 20 involving a woman who arrived from Uganda and tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
As of Sunday, 53 primary contacts had been identified for monitoring. They include healthcare workers, members of the patient’s household, domestic staff and personnel who handled sample collection.
The NCDC said health teams were assessing contacts according to their exposure levels and conducting regular checks throughout the 21-day monitoring period after their last possible exposure.
Idris disclosed that one contact who reported feeling unwell had tested negative for the virus, while surveillance and follow-up activities continued.
The agency is also reinforcing infection prevention measures in health facilities, training medical personnel and supporting the supply of protective equipment and laboratory materials.
The World Health Organisation has identified the case as imported, with investigations ongoing to determine the likely source of infection.
Against the backdrop of the regional outbreak, which has also affected the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Kenya, the NCDC is stepping up preparedness and surveillance to prevent further transmission.
Idris urged Nigerians to avoid spreading unverified information and cooperate with public health officials as containment efforts continue.